Ford gives glimpse into making of concept next-generation pickup

DEARBORN- Ford Motor Co. recently released a look into the making of its Ford Atlas concept pickup, which debuted earlier this year at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Dearborn-based automaker released early design sketches of the vehicle and descriptions of how designers created the final product.

In the released presentation (embedded right), Ford said officials used design cues from two previous earlier concepts – a smooth, aerodynamic “Bullet Train” and a boxier, "locomotive-inspired" sketch – to create the pickup.

“When creating the Atlas Concept, designers balanced function with style, went through several iterations, and had to make tough choices to ensure everything on the vehicle has a purpose, while the toughness of the overall design looks good,” Ford said in slides of the early sketches.

One of the most prominent features in the early sketches that didn’t make the final cut was an extended windshield that continued onto the roof.

Ford said while the fork-shaped design was a “very stylish point, it ultimately was dropped to provide a more practical integrated roof carrying system to secure large cargo.”

The Atlas, according to Ford, showcases the design, capability, fuel efficiency and smart technologies that will define its future pickup trucks.

“This is only a glimpse of the future,” said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. following the vehicle’s unveiling at the Detroit auto show in January. “As America’s truck leader, we remain absolutely committed to setting the agenda in the truck market and continuing to raise the bar on capability, fuel economy and profitable growth in the full-size pickup segment.”

Ford did not release when its next-generation F-Series will debut, but officials expect it to be a 2015 model.

Click through the embedded slideshow to see more early sketches of the Atlas.